reinforce

To reinforce something means to make it stronger or more stable.

When we talk about reinforcing something, we usually mean adding support or extra help to prevent it from falling apart. For example, if you've just moved into a new apartment and the walls feel wobbly, you might decide to reinforce them with some extra wood or brackets before putting up shelves or pictures. It's like giving your walls a safety net so they can hold all your heavy stuff without getting damaged. Similarly, in construction, builders might need to reinforce buildings after an earthquake or a strong storm has weakened the structure.

This idea of reinforcement is also used in many other areas. For instance, if you're feeling anxious about a test at school, reinforcing your study habits with practice exams and review sessions can help make you feel more confident. Or, if a team is struggling to achieve their goals, they might need to reinforce their strategy by working together better or finding new ways to motivate each other.

The word "reinforce" often implies that something was fragile or weak in the first place, but after some effort is put into making it stronger, it becomes more reliable and secure.